This week's healthy goal and pledge for kids is to 'Help Raise Awareness About Food Allergies.'
You can help by reading the information below and sharing it with other parents or your local school.
This weekly campaign has ended, Thank you to everyone who participated! You can still read up on Food Allergy information and find resources here.
You may also like to see the newest healthy goal pledge and giveaway prize for the current week!
We want to especially thank this week's 'healthy kids goal' sponsor for their support in helping us to raise awareness about children's food allergies.
This week enter to win a prize pack of SoyNut Butter! 
Share Food Allergy Awareness and Enter to win this week's giveaway I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter Prize Pack ($30 Value)
Learn more about I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter on their website - use coupon code N5212 to save $7 on a two pack- you get 2 jar for $10 Order here
Coupon code ends 2.13.12
*For more chances to win share your food allergy resources with other parents by leaving a comment below and find more giveaways!
*Each Healthy Goal Pledge Entry also gets our special healthy tip sheets PDFs on the Thank you page.
You'll get easy tips and food ideas to help kids eat healthier and to support your weekly goals.
We have 5 free PDFs to choose from so far, each week we add a new 1. This week's featured page is an activity page with a hidden picture hunt for children about food allergies- find the common food allergens activity and coloring page.
About Children's Food Allergies
A food allergy is caused by the immune system when the body mistakenly identifies a food or a component of a food as a harmful substance and causes the child’s own antibodies to attack.
Food is almost frequently used in elementary school and after-school programs. Whether it is counting and sorting activities or classroom party, food is everywhere! If your child has a food allergy it is very important to:
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It is important that your child’s teachers, cafeteria supervisor and school nurse are aware of your child’s food allergy
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Provide teachers with a copy of your action plan
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Your child’s school records should also reflect the food allergy. This way the teacher can either find a safe food alternative or a non food item for the lessons during the year.
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Make sure you discuss the food allergy with your pediatrician and refer to their best medical advice for managing your child's food allergy.
It can be scary when you realize that your child has a food allergy. It will require strict diligence to avoid specific foods in your child’s academic, social and home environments.
Understanding food allergies, clear communication and having an action plan in place are essential tools to coping with this condition. Your positive approach and understanding will also be important in helping your child deal with their food allergy.
Symptoms of a Food Allergy
Children with food allergies can have different types of reactions. The severity of a food allergy can really vary from child to child. Some children might react with minor symptoms such as a rash or itching. While other children can experience allergic reactions quite severe that if not treated right away can be life threatening. It is hard to know or predict what type of allergic reaction a child may experience.
Most food allergies will occur within minutes of eating the allergy-causing food. However, some reactions can appear up to two to four hours later. Allergic reactions need to be taken seriously, some reactions can start out mild and then progress to more serious symptoms.
The most common symptoms of a food-allergic reaction include:
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Hives
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Itchy rash
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Swelling
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Itching
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Tingling or swelling of the lips, tongue, or mouth
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Vomiting
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Abdominal cramps
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Diarrhea
Other symptoms may include:
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Coughing
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Trouble breathing
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Wheezing
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Drop in blood pressure
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Loss of consciousness
What to do if you Think your Child is Having an Allergic Reaction
It is so important to avoid the food the child is allergic to (also called an allergen) and be able to recognize potential allergic reactions. Discuss with your pediatrician what is the food allergy action plan and ensure that all adults who are caring for your child have a copy of the action plan. If your doctor has prescribed epinephrine for your child, this medication can be life saving and must be available at all times.
Food can affect children in a surprising variety of ways. Your child can develop an allergy later in childhood even if he/she has never had one. Your pediatrician or allergist can perform tests to identify allergies as well as track your child’s food allergies and watch to see if they are going away.
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If you suspect your child is having a reaction, call your pediatrician right away.
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If your child appears to be in distress, call 911
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If you have to give your child epinephrine, call 911 immediately afterwards
Most Common Food Allergies
Remember that any food can cause a food allergy so it is important to be aware of signs and symptoms of food allergies. But there are certain foods that are more likely to cause an allergic reaction. In particular, parents should be aware of the eight most common foods that can cause an allergic reaction in children.
The eight most common foods that cause allergies include:
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Milk (dairy)
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Eggs
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Peanuts
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Soybeans
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Wheat
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Nuts from trees (such as walnuts, pistachios, pecans, almonds)
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Fish (such as salmon, tuna)
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Shellfish (such as shrimp, crab, lobster)
Food Allergies Resources for Parents- Get an Extra Chance to Win by Sharing Tips and Resources
Help us compile a list websites, blogs, books or tools that may be helpful for parents' of children with Food Allergies.
We also have a
story for children about food allergies- 'Chef Solus and the Explorers Learn about Food Allergies'-
but we could really use your help to find helpful information and resources for parents on this topic!
Share the healthy pledge or share your own tips for managing your child's food allergy or share* a website blog, book or tool that has been helpful to you by leaving a comment below.
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Take this week's Healthy Pledge for Kids to help raise awareness about children's food allergies
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You can get an extra entry to win this week's prize by Tweeting about the healthy giveaway (here's the hashtag #soluspledge and/or link below to tweet)
*Just leave a comment below with your information and web or blog resources for an extra entry. (and be sure to leave your email so we can notify you if you win!)
You can also get even more additional entries by Tweeting or sharing on other social networks- just leave a comment below to let us know how you shared the Healthy Pledge!
Please help us spread the word!
You can also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!
We really appreciate your participation in this week's healthy goal for kids. Your entry shows your support to our mission to help kids learn to make healthier choices and our commitment to provide free nutrition education for all children and families! Thank you!
Each entry gets a choice of 5 special downloads with tips or activities to help meet each week's healthy goal for kids.
Thanks to the following mom blogs and contest sites for sharing our family-friendly healthy giveaways! Visit them to find great contests and giveaways!
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